Filipinos join global campaign to mark Great October’s centennial
MANILA, The Philippines—Novermber 7 this year, which marks the centennial of the Great October Socialist Revolution under the leadership of the Bolsheviks in Russia, reverberated with added fullness in this southeast Asian archipelago with a long-standing proletarian-led mass movement.
The 1917 October Revolution established the first socialist state in the world. Philippine activists, who like other progressives and revolutionaries all over the world continue to draw inspiration from this victory of Russian workers and peasants, have been commemorating the historic event with a year- long series of activities in-country and in other countries with significant Filipino migrant communities.
A cultural worker waves a red flag with the hammer-and-sickle symbol during the 100th year celebration of the Great October Socialist Revolution led by various progressive groups in Davao City, at the Holy Cross of Davao College Auditorium on Wednesday, October 25. Davao City on the southern island of Mindanao is the hometown of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. (Photo: Medel V. Hernani / davaotoday.com)
They commemorated the centennial with a launching assembly and conference on 5-6 May, creative educational campaigns and study sessions, production and exhibits of various works of art, colorful cultural performances and street protests—all united with the aim of advancing the Filipino people’s struggle for national liberation and genuine democracy, in solidarity with other peoples of the world.
The main organizers of the year-long activities are Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN, National Patriotic Alliance) along with its member organizations, the country chapter of the global anti-imperialist formation International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS), and the People’s Resource for International Solidarity and Mass Mobilization (PRISM).
In a statement posted on Facebook, the organizers reiterated the theme of the centennial campaign: “Let us celebrate the historic gains and continuing validity of the Great October Socialist Revolution for the proletariat and people. Let us draw and share lessons from its revisionist reversal, continue its legacy, persevere in leading the masses, and advance the struggle for democracy and socialism against imperialism and all reaction!” #
A short video version of the statement may be viewed on Facebook, at the October Revolution Centennial Commemoration (ORCC) page.—PRISM ed.
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